Scotland may have to deliberately lose to England in their upcoming Nations League clash to boost Team GB’s chances of reaching the Paris Olympics next year.
Pedro Martinez Losa’s side currently sit bottom of their Nations League group and are yet to win a game so far.
As for England, Sarina Wiegman’s side suffered a brutal night in Belgium last month that saw them earn one of their biggest defeats under the Dutch coach.
The result saw England slump to third place in Group A following a patchy campaign that has seen them lose 2-1 to the Netherlands away after an opening 2-1 victory against Scotland.
Should Martinez Losa’s Scotland suffer yet another defeat at the hands of the Auld Enemy, it could actually boost the Scottish stars’ chances of appearing in Paris immensely, thanks to a bizarre quirk in qualifying.
Following a defeat to Belgium last month, England’s hopes of Team GB qualification look in danger
A defeat to the Lionesses next week could boost their chances of playing at the Games
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Team GB – a group made up of players from all four of the home nations – can qualify for a place in the 2024 Olympics based off the result of its highest-ranked side, England.
Therefore, to ensure Scottish players can compete in Paris, Scotland may find themselves not altogether disappointed with another defeat against England.
Scotland currently sit bottom of Group A, with just one point from their campaign thus far.
As well as beating Scotland on December 5 at Hampden Park, England will also have to beat the Netherlands – which is scheduled to take place later this evening.
The Lionesses will also have to hope that Belgium’s results go there way too – only if Ives Serneels side drop points against Scotland and the Netherlands will Wiegman’s players keep pace with the pack.
Should Team GB make it to Paris for next year’s Games, Wiegman is set to coach the side in a bid to improve on their record in the competition, which has only seen them go as far as the quarter-finals in 2012 and 2020.
Speaking ahead of the game with the Netherlands at Wembley, Wiegman said: ‘We’re really excited to play at Wembley tomorrow. I think the camp so far from Monday to now has gone really well.
‘We’re very clear on how we want to play and what we want to do; I see good things on and off pitch, and that gives me confidence that we’re really ready for tomorrow, and of course we all know what we have to do.’
England beat Scotland in their last encounter thanks to goals from Lucy Bronze (right) and Lauren Hemp
England currently sit third in Group A and will also need to beat the Netherlands at Wembley